Seed viability of five wild Saudi Arabian species by germination and X-ray tests

Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of the germination vs. the X-ray test in determining the initial viability of seeds of five wild species (Moringa peregrina, Abrus precatorius, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Acacia ehrenbergiana and Acacia tortilis) from Saudi Arabia. Usually several days were required to determine the viability of all five species via germination tests. However, X-ray test will give immediate results on filled/viable seeds. Seeds of all species, except Acacia ehrenbergiana and Acacia tortilis showed high viability in both germination (96–72% at 25/15 °C, 94–70% at 35/25 °C) and X-ray (100–80%) test. Furthermore, there was a general agreement between the germination (19%, 14% at 25/15 °C and 17% and 12% at 35/25 °C) and X-ray (8%, 4%) tests in which seed viability of Acacia ehrenbergiana and Acacia tortilis was very low due to insect damaged embryo as shown in X-ray analysis. Seeds of Abruspreca torius have physical dormancy, which was broken by scarification in concentrated sulfuric acid (10 min), and they exhibited high viability in both the germination (83% at 25/15 °C and 81% at 35/25 °C) and X-ray (96%) tests. Most of the nongerminated seeds of the five species except those of Acacia ehrenbergiana and Acacia tortilis, were alive as judged by the tetrazolium test (TZ). Thus, for the five species examined, the X-ray test was proved to be a good and rapid predictor of seed viability.     

Anti-oxidative effects of silkworm storage protein 1 in HeLa cell

Silkworm hemolymph contains unique proteins that exhibit anti-apoptotic activity in mammalian cells. Among them, 30 K protein, which is one of the major anti-apoptotic molecules in silkworm hemolymph, has been well investigated. However, little is known about the biological functions of storage protein 1 (SP1), another main protein in silkworm hemolymph. In this study, the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities of SP1 were analyzed. A stable cell line expressing SP1 was constructed, which showed strong anti-apoptotic effect induced by staurosporine treatment. In addition, the cell line exhibited resistance to oxidative stress caused by hydrogen peroxide. For practical applications of SP1, recombinant SP1 was produced in Escherichia coli, and the supplementation of recombinant SP1 into culture medium exhibited anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative activities. In addition, SP1 was found to be a cell-penetrating protein and localized in the cytosol as well as on the plasma membrane. The findings showed that SP1 itself is not an anti-oxidant; rather, it mediates intracellular anti-oxidative activity. In conclusion, the cellular resistance of SP1 to apoptosis and oxidative stress will provide a new strategy that could be utilized in the bio-industry for the production of biologics as well as for the development of anti-aging cosmetics.     

Social structure and indirect genetic effects: genetics of social behaviour

The social environment modulates gene expression, physiology, behaviour and patterns of inheritance. For more than 50 years, this concept has been investigated using approaches that include partitioning the social component out of behavioural heritability estimates, studying maternal effects on offspring, and analysing dominance hierarchies. Recent advances have formalized this ‘social environment effect’ by providing a more nuanced approach to the study of social influences on behaviour while recognizing evolutionary implications. Yet, in most of these formulations, the dynamics of social interactions are not accounted for. Also, the reciprocity between individual behaviour and group‐level interactions has been largely ignored. Consistent with evolutionary theory, the principles of social interaction are conserved across a broad range of taxa. While noting parallels in diverse organisms, this review uses Drosophila melanogaster as a case study to revisit what is known about social interaction paradigms. We highlight the benefits of integrating the history and pattern of interactions among individuals for dissecting molecular mechanisms that underlie social modulation of behaviour.     

红花注射液对气虚血瘀证模型大鼠基因调控作用的研究

目的:采用基因芯片技术,分别构建气虚血瘀证大鼠和红花注射液给药处理后气虚血瘀证大鼠的差异基因表达谱,比较并分析,筛选出红花能够治疗气虚血瘀证的关键基因群,并推测其起治疗作用的基因组调控机制。方法:15只SD大鼠随机分为模型组、给药组、空白对照组。模型组和给药组采用疲劳游泳和饥饿饲养处理。造模一周后,给药组尾静脉注射红花注射液(100mg/kg/d),模型组给予相同体积生理盐水;对照组不做任何处理。造模进行两周后处死大鼠,取血检验血流变指标并评价造模情况;另抽取足够的血分离mRNA并逆转录杂交基因芯片;扫描信号分析确定受红花注射液调控的基因;并通过基因数据库查询相关基因功能,结合相关文献分析初步探讨红花作用的机制。结果:两周后经过检验和观察发现模型组大鼠在不同切率下的全血粘度增加,并且其体征表现出虚弱和瘀血的状态、体重下降,确定造模成功;给药组大鼠则相对于模型组的各项检测指标和状态有所改善,确认药物有疗效。在差异基因的比较中,空白组相对于给药组上调基因252条,下调基因54条;给药组相对于模型组上调基因196条,下调基因32条;两次差异表达基因中有16条相同基因,这些差异基因涉及到炎症损伤、免疫调节反应等方面。结论:红花注射液对于气虚血瘀证有治疗作用,在基因层次上是通过抗炎症损伤机制实现的。     

TRPM离子通道与人类疾病

TRPM蛋白家族是一类表达于多种哺乳动物细胞中广泛存在的离子通道。近年来发现它们在维持某些特定生理功能中起关 键作用且与人类疾病密切相关。研究显示氧化应激可使TRPM离子通道功能异常导致疾病发生、发展。TRPM亚家族的三个成 员，TRPM2，TRPM4 和TRPM7 均受氧化应激的调控，其功能改变、增加或缺失与炎症及免疫系统的激活、神经退行性疾病和神经 系统疾病、心血管疾病、癌症及糖尿病，代谢紊乱和骨疾病等疾病紧密联系。本文就近年来氧化应激调控的TRPM离子通道与人 类疾病的关系做简要综述。此外，文章也将探讨它们作为药物设计靶点和工具的应用前景。